Apple is reportedly still working on the Vision Pro’s distribution plan and final testing. Due to this, the mixed-reality headset will launch around March 2024.
This is a couple of months later than the company’s initial target of a January launch. At the “Wonderlust” event on September 12, Tim Cook claimed the Vision Pro is “on track to ship early next year.”
Apple still working on finalizing Vision Pro’s distribution plans
In the latest Power On newsletter edition, Mark Gurman claims Apple initially planned to launch the Vision Pro in January 2024. But with final testing and distribution plans not yet finalized, the launch is now pushed back to March 2024. This is also the timeframe when the company typically unveils new products through a press release or a launch event.
The Vision Pro was first showcased at WWDC23, giving the world a peak at spatial computing. Since the official showcase, the company has released SDK for developers to build apps for VisionOS. It has even opened Vision Pro developer labs worldwide to help developers build and test apps for the upcoming mixed-reality headset.
A previous report suggests that buying the Vision Pro will require an in-store appointment at the Apple Store. This will make the $3,499 headset’s retail launch the most complex one for Apple yet.
Getting your hands on Apple’s $3499 headset won’t be easy
The company will initially sell the Vision Pro across its retail stores in the US. However, only selected outlets will have designated areas to try out the headset. In other stores, Apple will provide one or two demo units for customers to try.
Purportedly, Apple will expand the Vision Pro’s availability outside the US to the UK and Canada only by the end of 2024. The European and Asian launches will follow soon after. Third-party resellers can seemingly start selling the Vision Pro only in 2025. The limited launch and availability are also due to the headset’s complex design and production challenges.